Heir's & Enemies: Breaking Bloodlines

Chapter 5: Sparring Match

~Princess Rowen's P. O. V. ~

"Come with me, Elias!" Elias and I have spent every day together since his arrival in Ilsena. That is to say that he and his family have been here for fourteen straight days. Demetrius and Blair are set to leave tonight while Elias stays here until after my 17th birthday. He wanted to celebrate with us. The bells tolled 11 times, signaling that it was time for my brothers' and the knights' sparring match. Elias has yet to see them spar. Especially when Rhion gets out on the field. He's normally shy, but out in there? He's like a different person. I wanted to cheer him on the most. Ruhn will be joining them today. That will make the knights more enamored to try harder to pin the royal men down. I took Elias' hand and began walking with him in tow. Giggling as I keep my secret.

"Rowen!" He was laughing with me as we ran down the corridors. "Where are we going?"

"It's a secret." I continued, leading us down into the arena where the sparring normally takes place. When we got there, I noticed most of my brothers were already stretching and in their comfortable clothes. I sat in one of the seats and motioned for Elias to join me. He sat next to me as we saw everyone enter the area.

"Right, King Ruhn told me about this. This is one of your favorite things to do then?"

"It is. Wait until Rhion starts to get serious. He's different out there." I watched the men pick up their wooden weapons. Today was a free-for-all.

"Alright." Ruhn spoke, "You all know the rules. For our guest, however, I shall repeat them." He cleared his throat. "There are to be no head targets, groin hits or ankle hits. Those are weak areas and should only be saved if absolutely necessary." He turned to face us. "The audience is to give no unfair plays, such as saying to look behind someone." He raised his eyebrow and looked directly into my eyes. I am guilty of doing that. He turned back to the men. "If you fall on your knee, you are to concede. That is a warning that your body is slowing down and thus retreat will be the better option. Live to fight another day, so to speak." He paced slowly. "If any of these rules are broken, the one breaking said rule will have to clean not only the barracks but the stables too. Rowen, " He pointed to me, "Will be our judge. You all know that she is fair."

"I wouldn't be if I didn't have such loyal knights and loving brothers!" I jested and giggled. Everyone laughed.

"One more item." Ruhn looked back at us, "Elias. I want to see how you fight. Join us." That was not a question. Ruhn really meant it. I gave my consent for him to join the others. He kissed my head and entered the arena. He jumped over the wall and landed on his feet gracefully. I caught a glimpse of his shirtless body and, I have to admit, he was muscular there too.

My other brothers welcomed him on the field. "What is your weapon of choice?" Rhydain was the first to question him. Now I am curious. How well will he do against my brothers and loyal knights?

"Depends," Elias answered. "Close combat or ranged?"

"Why not both?" Rodric chuckled.

"For close combat? I would have to choose a battle axe. For ranged? That is a tough one. I favor a bow with arrows, yet I have fancied the dagger whip." The what? I was not the only one to question what that was. Most of my knights looked at him with a new-found curiousness. Even my brothers had questionable looks on their faces.

"A what?" Rhion broke the silence.

"It is a dagger that is tied to a thin rope. Much like a whip, yet this requires more focus and very fast reflexes. A whip has a handle and is less agile. May I?" He looked at Ruhn. Ruhn nodded and had one of our knights bring over a thin rope and a dagger. Another knight brought out a training tool that looks like a person yet isn't one. I saw Elias tie the rope to the pummel of the dagger. Then, he started dancing with the blade and rope. I was mesmerized by this. In one swift motion, he threw the dagger in several ways, cutting the tool to shreds within a moment. The head of the tool dropped to the ground along with several pieces of it.

"What is that technique called?" Rodric was impressed. As were we all.

"It is a rope dart. Much like dancing, it comes with practice." Elias smiled at everyone.

"I see. After today, will you be willing to mentor us on it?" Rhydian took the weapon and began to inspect it.

"I don't see why not." Elias fits in rather well with my brothers. I was quite happy with that. Ruhn clapped his hands and told everyone to get in position. A wooden dagger was to replace the real one. I stood up and began to watch the match. Ruhn looked up at me and nodded once. My turn.

"You maggots know what to do. Begin!" I chuckled. They started and immediately Ruhn became the primary target for most of the knights. Elias and Rhion were next to have eyes set on them. I spotted a couple of them trying to go for the head but I gave them warning that I was still watching. This was taking longer than usual. I noticed that some knights had to retreat for the day, as did Rodric and Rhydian. Elias and Ruhn were back to back against 2 fierce knights. That is until Rhion caught both off guard using his great axe. The knights fell to the ground a few feet away from Ruhn and Elias. Now it was down to the three men. Elias was impressive with that rope dart. He managed to get weapons away from other knights and had them stand down. It would seem Ruhn and Rhion saw this as well. Luckily, today the knights knew not to cheat. I think Ruhn adding the stables scared them a bit. Now, it was down to Elias, Ruhn and Rhion. I wanted to support either of them. Rhion was agile, Elias was smart, but Ruhn was fierce. This could end in a three-way draw. I noticed beads of sweat running down their faces. It was not my place to call it, though. Ruhn made the first move, he swung his wooden bastard sword at Elias. Elias dodged it easily. Using the rope of the dart rope, Elias swung it around Ruhn's ankle. Yet, Rhion came in and tried to side swipe Elias with his wooden claymore. He narrowly dodged that attack too. Rhion then turned his attention to Ruhn. Both were locked in battle. I saw Elias take his chance and lapped the rope between both brothers. Tugging the rope hard, my brother's bodies interlocked with each other as they fell to the ground. Elias tied the ropes ends together, signifying that he had won. I clapped at his victory.

"This is just embarrassing," Rhion chuckled.

"Come now, a little brother bonding time isn't all that bad." Ruhn started making kissing noises as Rhion was trying to escape from him. I started laughing hysterically.

"Ruhn... Come off it! That's nasty!"

"Elias, dear. Untie my brothers." I said while wiping away tears.

"Awe. It was just becoming entertaining." I gave him a hard stare, "Very well, my love." He held his hands up in surrender. Untying both, he helps them up.

"Good show, Elias." Ruhn pat his back.

"You're very talented with that weapon. I did not anticipate that it could be used like that." Rhion continued. The bells rung once, signaling that it was 1 in the afternoon. The men left to clean themselves up before luncheon. Rumors quickly started to spread about how Elias won against Rhion. The knights were talking about it for the rest of the afternoon. Ruhn had taken Elias up to his office, leaving me with my mother, King Demetrius and Queen Blair. They said their goodbyes as they got into their carriages. They had to have the second one that Queen Blair rode in follow them. I felt a bit of sadness as they left. Both were great rulers from what mother has told me. She and Queen Blair became steady friends while King Demetrius and Ruhn allied themselves.

"Oh, Rowen!" Rhoswen called out. I rolled my eyes at her antics. "My precious baby sister."

"Yes, dear, sister?" I turned to look at her.

"It's been 14 days. Has he asked THE question yet?" I tilted my head to the side. Not knowing what she was on about. "Has he proposed to you?"

"Not yet." I giggled. "In time he will. I am sure."

"Leave her alone, Rhoswen." Rhiain was looking over some papers. She was quite smart for her age. I sort of envied her. "He will ask when the time is right." She looked down at me with a smile.

"Oh, posh." Rhiannon came from the stables. She had horse hair all over her dress. "It's been days now. Either he asks soon or not at all. A princess doesn't wait forever, you know." She sat down in a guest seat.

"Rhoswen, Rhiannon. Leave her be. Just because your fiances have, doesn't mean that all Princes are like that. He wants to take it slow with her. Especially after Prince Teilo," Rhoslyn said from the top of the foyer stairs. It's been over a month since Court. I hope Teilo moves on soon or rather has moved on. Elias is my future and he is my past. Mother gave one of her warning coughs. My sisters backed down and bowed in respect.

"Girls, it is not very lady like to pry into your sisters romantic life. I can tell you about your fathers and mine if you wish?" Nobody wanted to hear that.

"We would rather not, mother." Rhoswen answered for us.

"Well, then, stop trying to talk your sister into it. Now, off with you. Rowen and I need a moment." They all bowed and went their separate ways. Mother led me into the dining hall where we sat across from each other. She had documents laid out and her seal at the ready. "Rowen. How are you feeling, sweetie?" I knew she meant about Teilo.

"Honestly? I'm terrified. What if he tries something sinister? Or worse? I won't be all right until I know he is with another. I placed my hands in my lap, looking down. "What if he tries to take me from Elias?" I whispered. "I am happy with Elias. He makes me feel things I never thought possible."

"I understand. Did he tell you when he wanted to wed you?" I looked up and my mother was smiling.

"On my 18th birthday. It was my decision. He left it to me." Her smile got wider.

"I respect that. Well, that gives us a little under a year and a half." She started scrawling things down on those documents. "What about your birthday this year?"

"A grand gala would be nice. Instead of just inviting royalty and nobles, I want it open for commoners too. They should have a night to enjoy themselves. They work so hard for this kingdom, it's only right." I smiled back at her.

"A gala for commoners sounds like a grand idea, sister." Ruhn came in and sat in his seat. "We should also have sales of dresses and robes. I am sure they would also enjoy having royal clothing made for them." My eyes lit up with this idea.

"But there are so many. We cannot tailor them all," Mother countered.

~Unknown's P. O.V.~

In the dungeons of the kingdom, I stood there. Pacing the cobblestone floor, awaiting the arrival of someone who can aid me. I made my offerings to this being. He had better hold up his end of our bargain. I had no time left to give. I was about to leave the dungeons and join the land up there when a green fog rolled in and swirled at the center of the room.

"You are late." I told him.

"You asked for my aid and shall give it. But not freely, little man." Vampires. Always so rude. I rolled my eyes.

"So? Tell me."

"Not yet. First you must pay up." He told me. I rolled my sleeve up and pulled out my dagger. I cut myself enough to draw blood. He conjured a goblet where he caught the drops of my blood. It filled to the brim. He drank it in front of me. "Now, then. I have spied on them. The summer after the next." He gave me a toothy smile. "I must say, your prey is worth the trouble."

"And trouble you shall remain clear of," I told him.

"Have you considered my offer?" He crossed his arms.

"To become a vampire? You can forget it. Immortal may sound incredible now. Yet, how am I to keep my prey if I do not age? Turn it too?" I mean, it could be an option. One I am not fond of. As I came to understand, vampires don't feel pain.

"I suggest you consider it. My clan will not be forgiving this interaction. We are to remain as shadows to you mortals. You were never to know I existed." Damn him! I may not have a choice then. Either I get what I want with possible death from other vampires or I get what I want and I become a vampire myself.

"In 3 days, then. I will contact you in 3 days to give you my final answer." For now, I shall take this knowledge and keep it locked away. No one is to know I made a deal with the devil himself. This was going to be harder than I thought. He will die at my hands and I will triumph over his body. At least I have time.

"Very well. And what of your prey? Shall I do something?" I thought about it. Then I nodded.

"Kill those that would protect it. Including royalty." I will get what I want, no matter the cost.

"Any time frame?" Smart bugger. I thought about it again. Then a smile creeped on my face.

"The day before. I want to watch the light of their eyes leave their bodies." I know what I am doing is extraordinarily ruthless, yet I find it necessary in these dire times.

"Very well. I shall return in 3 days. Have a pleasant night." He bowed to me while chuckling. The green fog that had appeared once before came and swallowed him whole. I was, once again, alone in this dungeon. I headed upstairs to my room and closed the door. Night had fallen, the trees were lashing out in anger as the winds blew. I had a little over a year or so. Mark my words, I will take back what is mine. In 3 days, I will either become a vampire myself or I will be killed. On the one hand, I turn immortal. Yet, I live a cursed life if I choose that. On the other hand, I die anyway. Leaving nothing but a memory of whom I was. Both very tempting options. Even if they were not ideal ones. It took several hours, but I made a decision and headed off to the library. Maybe we have books on how to kill a vampire, perhaps opening a third door for me. Getting what I want without consequences or suspicion.

I take out several mythological books on everything. From dragons to fairies. Demons to unicorns. Yet not one book on vampires. This was frustrating me to no end. Giving up on the books, I looked through old scrolls. It was how I found him in the first place. I found more about summoning other creatures and casting imprisonment circles. Would imprisoning him be for the better? I think this over. Perhaps. I will keep this scroll for later. I continue to shift through and finding another for killing werewolves. I almost laughed. Werewolves aren't true beings. Those are stories to tell children when they misbehave. Then again, I thought the same of the vampires. And yet, here we are. I entertained the thought of summoning a werewolf if my 'guest' decided that I needed to be a vampire anyway. I decided to put that thought on hold. Oh, well. For now I shall be happy with this entrapment spell I found. If I decide against vampirism, then he will try to convert me. Yes, this is the best I have come up with. I start preparing by gathering the herbs from the kitchen and the white paint from my art room. Now, where should I set it up? Probably where I can still use him. The dungeon it is. I go back down and place the items in a strategic hiding place. When the time comes, I shall trap him here. Not before I get what I want from him though.

With the items placed in their hiding spot, I go back to my room and lay on my bed. I close my eyes and think about who I will have. Possibly the new girl I just hired. No, no. She will not give in so easily. I will just pick one in the morning. I need to let off some tension. I have my sights set, my claws sharpened and my hunger only grows. Soon, I will have it back. Soon, I will reclaim it and no one can tell me otherwise. It. Is. Only. Mine!